Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-03-12
MOURNING FOR BEECHER
Services in Plymouth Church-Tep Tbou.
sand People View the Remains of the
Dead PastOr-Dr. Charles A. Hall
Delivers a Long Funeral Address.
NEW YORK, March IL.

NEW YORK, March IL.
All Brookly was in mourning TODAY over
the death of Beecher. The public offices
were c osed. business was entirely suspended
ana memorial services were held in a large
number of churches up town. The streets
looked deserted
As early as o'clock Fulton avenue was
thronged with people hurryug in the direc-
ton OF Plymouth church. Lines of police
were stationed at the ends of the blocks on
which the church is situated and no one was
| allowed to pass through the lines unless he
mad a ticket
Before o'clock the line on Orange street
was two blocks away, three abreast The
side streets were packed with people, The
members of Plymouth Co. G of the 18th
regiment of which Beecher was chaplain,
were stationed at the door of the church and
IN the lecture room. While the vast crowds
OF people were gathering outside the church
the lady members of the congregation were
working within dressing the pulpit and
casket with flowers. The whole interior into
perfect flower garden. Walls, galleries
and organ were covered with evergreens,
palms and calla lilies The reading
desk was covered with French roses and
vines, as was also the chair in which Beecher
sat for SO manv years. In the centre of the
~ S"h ioit " as d mural etnUlem IN the shape
OF triangle. On the top of which were perched
Two white doves with white ribbons in their
bills. The pulpit was loaded down with
flowers and floral embems sent by friends
and different organizations. The casket was
placed on catatalque of white roses, white
carnations and smiiax, directly in front of
the reading desk. There was nothing to in
dlcate the presence OF death except the still
ness which pefvaded the room and hushed
the conversation of the workers.
The church had more the appearance of a
wedding than funeral. 1t was nearly 10
O'Clock before the doors wore thrown Open
People entered by the Orange street entrance
and were shown to their seats by ushers.
During the time that the audience were being
shown TO their seats, the organist played low,
sweet music upon the grand organ. The
first four seats on the right of the centre aisle
were reserved for the relatives of the de
ceased. Bee hers family were not present,
and the family pew was filled with flowers.
Mrs. Beecher was in the church for few
moments before the doors were opened and
left with her sons before the crowd entered.
Rev. DR.. Charles II. Hall conducted the
services, which were very simple, and deliv
cred long address, An opportunity was
then given the congregation to view the
mains, and not less than 10000 people passed
In line around the church to take a last view
OF the great preacher. Overflow services
were held according to the program in the
First Presbyterian church, First Baptist
church, IN the Church OF Our Saviour and in
the Sands street Methodist church, all of
which are close by Plymouth church
The Rev. DR.. Jesse B. Thomas conducted
the services, with the assistance of Rev. DR..
T. Dewitt Talmage, Rev. DR., A. J. p. Ben
rends and Rev. VIM. l.. Phillips. Rev. DR..
Lawson of Boston read several Psalms,
among which were the 23d and oath. The
Rev. James l.. Hand, an intimate friend of
MIR. Beecher, offered prayer. Rev. DR.. Tai
mage spoke in glowing praise of Mr.. Beecher.
The services at ths Unitarian church were
conducted by Rev. DR.. Almon Gunnison, as
sisted by Rev. DR.. Thomas Armtage of New
York, Rev. II. M Storrs of Orange and Rev.
+. "A. Farley. The arrangements were con-
Quoted by ex-Mayor Seth Low of Brooklyn
as chairman of ceremonies, and opened with
the hymn Love Divine" followed by prayer
by DIR. Farley, after which Rev. DIR. Gunni-
son read scriptures, and the hymn, "Jesus,
Lover of My Soul" was sung. Then DR..
Gunnison delivered an eloquent address, re-
terring lovingly to the deceased pastor.
Addresses were also made by Rev. Mr.. Dix
on (colored) and DR.. Armitage. At the first
IresOyterlan cnu1ch, the pastor, heF. \.
Cuthbert Hall delivered a glowing eulogy on
the deceased. Other addresses were deliv-
cred by Rev. Geo. f. Reed, Rev. Theodore
L. Cuyler and Rev A. j. Huttun.
At 1890, in Plymouth church, DR.. Hall
commenced to read in low, clear tones the
opening sentences of the Protestant Episcopal
burial service. After this, the double quar-
tet and chorus of sixty voices sang the buri-
al chant, "Lord let me know mine end"
Lesson was read by DR.. Hall and prayer
was delivered by Rev. S. b. Halliday. After
the first lesson Or. Hall commenced his ora
ton, During its delivery there was not
dry eve in the house and several times he
was compelled to stop for short time to gain
control of his voice.
AT the Sands street Methodist church, Rev.
Alexander McLeon presided. Mayor Whit
ney and Ex- Mayor Booth formed part of the
committee. The services were solemn and
etfecting